Hilton Lee Pope was a top notch Law Enforcement Officer and an exceptional father. He inspired me in so many ways. I only wish that I could be half the man that he was.
He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and also with Honours in the U.S. Army in Korea. After WWII dad transferred from the Navy and into The Army. His first assingment was in Post War Germany, Where he served as a Highway Patrolman in The Military Police. His primary responsibility was patroling the Autobaun Superhighway and the Demilitarized Zone between East and West Germany.
During the Korean War Dad served on General Douglas A. McAurthur's general staff. Dad was the General's Chief of Security and Personal Escort.
Dad saw combat action in several campaings and was awarded (2) Purple Hearts, (2) Bronze Stars with Clusters and The Silver Star among other awards and citations.
Dads last few months in the Military was spent in South Vietnam as a part of the Pre-War Military Advisors Group. Most of this action is still listed as CLASSIFIED by the government and was never really discussed by him. I do know that he was involved in counter-gorilla warfare tactics and teaching special tactics to South Vietnamese Special Forces Groups.
After his discharge from the military, Dad returned to Erwin North Carolina where he was born and raised. Shortly after his return he joined the Harnett County Sheriff's Depatrment under Sheriff Wade Stewart. Dad served as an Alcohol Enforcement Deputy until the unit was disbanded in the late 1960's or early 1970's. Dad continued to serve as a uniformed Deputy until his Retirement in 1983.
Everyone that knew my Dad has always said that he was an exceptional Law Enforcement Officer. He is and always will be sorly missed.
Dad married Thelma Gladys Bledsoe and they concieved four sons, of which I am the youngest. Although I was quiet the Hell raiser in my youth I always respected both of my parents and was greatly influenced by them in my Childhood and as an Adult.
Mom and Dad I Love You and I Miss You
I pray that you will watch over and protect me as I try to serve and protect those who cannot protect themselves...... Amen.
How do we count the lives he touched,
The light he shed for years?
How do we see the difference he made,
When we are looking through our tears?
How do we know the things that are,
that never would have been?
Without his valiant heart that dared
to fight and fight again?
How do we know what flowers will bloom
from seeds of yesterday,
What songs are sung and dreams begun
Because he passed this way?
How do we measure the shining place
that time can never pale,
In all the hearts that cheered him on,
and willed him to prevail?
How did his spirit sore beyond
The suffering and the scars,
With one hand clutching hope,
and the other on the stars?
We may not know what he left behind
on the difficult path he trod...
But we know this much,
His Life's Brief Touch Was From The Hand Of GOD.
In Loving Memory of Hilton Lee Pope
